Melbourne Victory Head Coach, Tony Popovic says his are ready to give everything in Saturday’s FFA Cup Semi Final against Wellington Phoenix at GMHBA Stadium.
The 2015 FFA Cup Winners are aiming to reach the Final for second time and secure their place in the decider against Central Coast Mariners with a win over Wellington in Geelong.
SEMI FINAL PREVIEW: Melbourne Victory v Wellington Phoenix
HOW TO WATCH: Melbourne Victory v Wellington Phoenix
Victory come into Saturday’s Semi Final on a seven-match unbeaten run after playing out a pulsating 2-2 draw in the Big Blue against Sydney FC on Tuesday night.
Tuesday’s match was the Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s leaders' first match in almost three weeks after the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on the competition schedule over the past month.
Despite the interrupted lead in, Popovic said his side - who ended Adelaide United’s record 12-match Cup unbeaten run on their way to the final four - were ready to grab the opportunity presented by Saturday’s Semi Final with both hands.
“Right now this is the most important game, we’re in the Semi Final of the Cup. When you get to this stage, you know that you’re two wins away from holding up a trophy,” Popovic said.
“We don’t want to waste this opportunity, we know that it will be tough, it’s a Semi Final and both teams will be pushing hard to make their way to a final, but it’s a fantastic opportunity for us.”
If Victory are to defeat Wellington they will host the FFA Cup Final against Central Coast Mariners in Melbourne at AAMI Park next Saturday night.
Popovic said the chance to play a Final in front of a home crowd was all the motivation his side needed heading into Saturday’s match.
“We want to give it everything we’ve got to give our best chance of playing in Melbourne as well, we know the final will be here if we can win tomorrow and we want to give our fans some joy,” Popovic said.
“We prepare all week for a big final for our fans and we want to give them something to celebrate.
“Our dream is next Saturday to hold up the trophy but to get to there we’ve got a big job on our hands tomorrow.”
Saturday’s Semi Final will be the first time Melbourne Victory and Wellington Phoenix have faced one another in the FFA Cup.
You can watch all the action live & free via 10 Play. All the details on how to set 10 Play up are here.
For those in New Zealand & countries without a host broadcaster, you can live stream the game via our official YouTube channel.
FFA Cup 2021 Semi Final 2: Melbourne Victory FC vs. Wellington Phoenix FC
Date: Saturday, 29 January 2022
Venue: GMBHA Stadium, Geelong
Kick-off: 5:35pm AEDT
Broadcast: Live and free in Australia via 10 Play
